Choosing Formula Milk
- All infant formulas sold in the UK must meet strict regulations and expensive ones are not better.
- Breast milk has protective factors that formula does not contain.
- Babies who are formula‑fed or mixed‑fed should have first infant milk (stage 1) for the whole first year — no need for follow‑on milks.
- For independent guidance, see A simple independent guide to formula milks
Responsive Bottle Feeding
- Feed your baby in a paced, responsive way — watching their cues and avoiding forcing them bottle to finish the bottle.
- This helps babies avoid overfeeding and supports bonding.
Combination (Mixed) Feeding
- Mixed feeding means giving both breast milk and bottle feeds (either expressed milk or formula).
- It’s best to avoid bottles before 6 weeks while breastfeeding is being established.
- Early or frequent bottles can:
- Make switching between breast and bottle harder
- Reduce milk supply if you don’t express
- Cause breast fullness or discomfort
Some parents start mixed feeding from day one. If you do start early, be aware that bottle feeding can make it harder to establish breastfeeding so you might want to contact the feeding team for help and support.
Making Up Formula Safely
- Powdered formula is not sterile.
- It must be made with hot water (at least 70°C) to kill bacteria.
- All feeding equipment must be properly washed and sterilised.
- Avoid shortcuts seen on social media — they may not meet NHS safety standards.
- Follow the NHS Guide to Bottle Feeding for:
- Safe preparation
- Responsive bottle feeding
- Sterilising equipment
- For information on prep machines, kettle taps and other devices, see First Steps Nutrition Trust – Making infant milk safely.
Formula Milk Recalls
- Formula milks are occasionally recalled.
- For up‑to‑date information, check the Food Standards Agency website or their social media.
- Your midwife or health visitor can also support you.
- There is an infographic available to help if you’re struggling to find formula during a recall. Download Struggling to find formula milk because of the recalls for more information.